While looking for Christmas books for my Christmas Books Advent this year, I was surprised and happy to find The Nutcracker And The Mouse King book by E.T.A. Hoffmann and illustrated by Gail de Marcken. I didn't hesitate to purchase the book.
The pages are filled with gorgeous and detailed illustrations with so many vivid colors!
The pages are filled with gorgeous and detailed illustrations with so many vivid colors!
This book is lengthy and not the short version children may be accustomed to. The pages are filled with text as you can see below and there are many dialogues. This may take more than one night to finish for little kids.
I grew up with a somewhat different version of the usual children's Nutcracker book. It was not the whimsical ballet version but rather the Russian animation from 1973.
The first video is in Russian.
For English subtitles, you can watch this version:
I was enthralled by Tchaikovsky's music and the sad story of the Nutcracker. The characters were beautifully drawn and the mood was just right. It had everything: love, beauty, drama and action but it was not too tense for little kids. This movie became one of my favorite to this day.
I have seen the Nutcracker ballet in a theatre a few years ago and although I loved the performance, I wasn't as moved as when I saw the animated movie.
I have seen the Nutcracker ballet in a theatre a few years ago and although I loved the performance, I wasn't as moved as when I saw the animated movie.
My son love this book!!! So far, he has rejected all the books concerning the Nutcracker but he was interested in reading this one! He also did enjoy tremendously the Russian animated movie!
What is your favorite Nutcracker book and movie?
